A lot of awards and insignia belonging to two officers of the 16th Infantry Regiment - members of the same family

A very rare and interesting lot of items belonging to two Hessian officers and their wives. For the convenience of perception, we have divided the lot into 2 parts. First Officer (two of his photos and awards on the 2nd picture in the tape) – Karl Kuhlman (Carl Cullmann), born April 28, 1844 in Gross-Steinheim, near Hanau. On June 20 , 1866 , he received the title "second Leutnant" in the 2nd rifle company (2 Schutzen Kompanie), took part in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, for which he was awarded a medal. As a result of the war, the independence of Hesse was eliminated, it became part of the Prussian. Lieutenant Kuhlmann continued his service in the new unit: Infanterie-Regiment «Kaiser Wilhelm» (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 116 (Infantry Regiment "Kaiser William I" (2nd Grand Duke of Hesse) No. 116 (true, the regiment received the name "Kaiser William I" much later)). After 4 years, the Franco-Prussian War begins, in which Lieutenant Kuhlmann had the opportunity to distinguish himself. On October 12, 1870, he was awarded the Iron Cross of the 2nd class, in addition, he receives a personal commendation from Duke Ludwig III of Hesse. During the war on February 04 , 1871 , he was also promoted to «Premier Leutnant» (senior lieutenant). For his services in the same war , he was awarded the Order of Philip the Magnanimous (Knight's Cross 1st class with swords). On January 13 , 1881 , Kuhlmann received the rank of captain (Hauptmann) and became the commander of the 8th company in the same regiment, where he served in this rank until 1888. Interestingly, in 1887 he already had an officer's seniority "For 25 years of service," although he received his first officer's patent only in 1866. On May 16 , 1888 , Captain Kuhlmann received the rank of Major and "... with the preservation of the rank and the right to wear uniforms, the regiment is transferred to the gendarmerie...". Apparently, already in the Hessian gendarmerie, he receives the rank of lieutenant colonel (Oberstleutnant) and receives another award — the Order of Philip the Magnanimous (Cross of Honor). He was married to Anna Kuhlmann, the daughter of Emily Theobald, the widow of the owner of the hotel in Friedberg (it should be noted that both women were awarded "Military Medical Cross of Hesse-Darmstadt" on May 8, 1872 (both awards are present in the lot).

What does the second officer of the 116th regiment Georg Grossmann have to do with this venerable family? The most direct. He was married to Karl Kuhlmann's daughter.

Georg Grossmann (lot of awards and shoulder straps with one photo) was born on December 08, 1863 in Breslau, nevertheless, he was a citizen of the Duchy of Hesse. At the age of 20 , on May 15 , 1883 , he received a patent «Second Leutnant» (lieutenant) and is assigned to serve in the 11th company of the same Infanterie-Regiment «Kaiser Wilhelm» (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 116. March 29, 1892 receives the title «Premier Leutnant» (senior lieutenant) in the 9th company. On September 10 , 1897 , he became a captain (Hauptmann) and commander of the 10th company. On January 27, 1909, he received the rank of major and became commander of the III battalion in the same regiment. Before the war, in 1913, the regiment celebrates its 100th anniversary. On this occasion, the jubilee medal was awarded to Grossman and his father-in-law (who, apparently, was still alive). Therefore, 2 medals have been preserved in the family, both on the original pads (presented in the lot). The First World War began, and Georg Grossmann became the commander of the 37th von Steinmetz Fusilier Regiment (Füsilier-Regiment von Steinmetz (Westpreutisches) Nr. 37). In the photo, he is already in the post of regimental commander and in the rank of lieutenant colonel (Oberstleutnant). Georg Grossmann receives iron crosses of the 1st and 2nd classes and a medal at the front "For bravery" by Hessen. On March 25, 1916, the commander of the 37th Fusilier Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Georg Grossmann, was killed east of Verdun. Grossmann's wife (Kuhlmann's daughters) gave "Widow's Cross", which is also on display in the lot.

Special attention should be paid to Grossman's awards: gold Ludwig's Cross 3em"> (about 100 awards are known) and the Order of Philip the Magnanimous are extremely rare on the antique market today. Also included in the Grossman set are 4 pairs of Hessian shoulder straps (all different): the first 2 shoulder straps with Infanterie-Regiment emblems «Kaiser Wilhelm» (2. Groyherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 116, the second pair of field; also two pairs of Hessian major shoulder straps.

We deliberately did not break this kit in order to keep the family heirlooms of the officers of the 116th regiment together. Guarantee of authenticity for all elements of the lot.

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